WHO ARE WE ?

 

The EMERGENCY ASSIST TEAM OF ROCKLAND is a privately formed, not for profit, non-governmental organization comprised of trained individuals who understand and support the CISM

movement in conjunction with the ICISF standards

 

CISM team members are trained veteran personnel from all of the emergency services as well as mental health professionals and clergy.  The team’s goals are to provide education about critical incident stress as well as providing Rockland’s emergency service personnel the best assistance possible when they suffer from symptoms.

 

CISM techniques work because peer team members who have “been there” can, under the guidance of mental health professionals, provide the support necessary to those police, firefighters, and EMS personnel who are suffering

 

 

WHAT IS CIS?

 

Critical Incident Stress is a syndrome which affects up to 87% of all emergency workers during their careers.  Simply defined, CIS occurs when workers responding to a particular traumatic event

experience extremely strong and emotional reactions to that event.

 

The most common events which will trigger CICS include:

 

· A co-workers death

· Mass casualties

· A child  victim

· Death after a prolonged rescue effort

· Memory triggering event

· Considerable danger exists

 

Acute CIS can occur at the scene of an incident, while delayed CIS reactions may occur hours, or even weeks later.  ALMOST ALL EMERGENCY WORKERS ARE AT RISK, no matter how long they’ve served or what they’ve experienced.

 

The effects of CIS are usually temporary in nature, subsiding within a number of weeks.  The affected worker whose symptoms either do not disappear or which grow worse can experience continuing personal, family and job problems which may ultimately lead to resignation from service.

 

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT CIS?

 

· Learn what CIS is and how to recognize it

· Know it’s symptoms and the ways to minimize its effects

· Realize what to do if you or a colleague is affected by CIS

 

 

HOW CAN WE ASSIST YOU?

 

· We give lectures to educate emergency service workers about CIS and how to prevent it

· We will respond to requests, or immediately after an incident, to assist those who are or may become victims of the syndrome

· We will conduct debriefings for agencies which have a need

· We provide education and support services for the families of affected workers

· We have a referral service of mental health professionals and others who may provide additional assistance to those who continue to require our service

 

Any and all assistance rendered is confidential.  Any affected worker may contact the team or one of its members directly to receive assistance. 

 

There is no charge for our services.  We are a non-profit organization, and yes, donations are greatly appreciated to support our work.

 

 

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Support Services For

Emergency Service

Personnel

ON-SCENE SUPPORT

The team may observe, watch for acute reactions, provide support, and be available to help resting personnel deal with stress reactions.

 

DEMOBILIZATIONS

These are short, informational sessions with units as they enter or leave the scene of an   incident or disaster response of long duration.

 

INITIAL DEFUSINGS

The occurrence of a defusing within a few hours of a critical incident is primarily informational and educational.

 

ORGANIZED DEBRIEFING

This group meeting usually occurs 24-72 hours after an incident.  It is a confidential, non-evaluative discussion of involvement, thoughts and reactions resulting from the incident

 

INDIVIDUAL REFERRALS

Referral to an available mental health professional trained in critical incident stress is always available.  Family or specific counseling needs can be assessed. 

 

SPOUSE DEBRIEFINGS

Family members and significant other individuals who might be impacted by an event can benefit from this debriefing

 

AWARENESS TRAINING

Training sessions and pre-incident education for emergency service workers, officers, spouses and family members are available

 

 

General Information

It is best to request on scene support and/or defusing as soon as possible.

 

Debriefings and individual support may be requested after the incident or when the need arises.  Family support may also be arranged.

 

Educational sessions will be arranged to fit the needs and times of the requesting agency.